As the conversation around athlete wellness expands beyond physical performance, mental health has emerged as one of the most urgent and transformative topics in sports and business.Â
The Mental Edge, presented by Sheppard Pratt, will convene leaders from across sports, media, and mental health to explore how organizations can prioritize mental well-being—from the locker room to the boardroom.
This event will feature thought-provoking panels and intimate dialogue among athletes and business decision-makers and is designed to unpack the evolving dynamics of mental health in professional sports, the growing role of corporate and philanthropic leadership, and how high-profile moments are enhancing mental health conversations on and off the field.
A forward-looking conversation on delivering mental health support in sports. What does it really take to support athletes beyond the scoreboard? The Support System brings together leaders and experts who are delivering mental health care across the sports ecosystem. This panel explores the often unseen infrastructure behind athlete wellness—from team ownership and player unions to clinical leadership and care delivery systems—highlighting what it takes to create sustainable, high-performance environments on and off the field, while also addressing what still needs to be done.
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Speakers:Â Leslie Osborne, founder/co-owner Bay FC and former NWSL & USWNTÂ athlete; Dr. Harsh K. Trivedi, president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt; and Dr. Amber Cargill, director of player wellness, NFLPA.
A candid, athlete-only conversation on mental health at the highest level. What is it really like to carry the mental and emotional weight of elite competition? The Player’s View offers an unfiltered conversation led by athletes who have lived the pressures, expectations, and personal challenges that come with performing on the biggest stage.This athlete-only panel centers the voices of those inside the experience, exploring how mental health shows up in life beyond the game. Players will reflect on the moments that tested them most, the support systems that made a difference, and what they wish teams, leagues, and fans better understood about the human side of professional sports. Through honest storytelling and practical insight, this conversation aims to normalize mental health discussions in sports, reduce stigma, and empower athletes, coaches, and organizations to foster cultures where performance and well-being are part of a championship mindset.
Speakers: Arik Armstead, Walter Payton Man of the Year and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end; Kyle Van Noy, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens; and Kelsey Cook, three-time Olympic medalist and League One Volleyball athlete
Sheppard Pratt is the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, developmental disability, special education, and social services in the country. A nationwide resource, Sheppard Pratt provides services across a comprehensive continuum of care, spanning both hospital- and community-based resources. Since its founding in 1853, Sheppard Pratt has been innovating the field through research, best practice implementation, and a focus on improving the quality of mental healthcare on a global level. Sheppard Pratt has been consistently recognized as a top national psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.
